Question 1

Neurons differ in shape, size, neurotransmitter usage, ion channel expression, and connectivity. How is neuronal diversity produced?

Accepted Answer

A)  different neurons express different transcription factors 
B)  different neurons express different genes 
C)  transcription factors in fertilized eggs are not evenly distributed 
D)  all of the above 
A)  different neurons express different transcription factors 
B)  different neurons express different genes 
C)  transcription factors in fertilized eggs are not evenly distributed 
D)  all of the above

Question 2

You label the developing corticospinal neurons of a cat with a fluorescent compound that permits axon visualization. You see that in the spinal cord, fluorescence is found on only one side of the spinal cord. This finding suggests that the age of the animal is most likely

Accepted Answer

A)  less than 25 days 
B)  at least 25 days 
C)  at least 35 days 
D)  at least 55 days 
A)  less than 25 days 
B)  at least 25 days 
C)  at least 35 days 
D)  at least 55 days

Question 3

The concept of a neural inducer molecule originated because

Accepted Answer

A)  certain regions of the developing embryo serve as an organizing center 
B)  in-situ hybridization experiments showed that a few genes are expressed only in the dorsal blastopore lip 
C)  when two organizing centers are artificially present in an organism, two nervous systems develop 
D)  all of the above 
A)  certain regions of the developing embryo serve as an organizing center 
B)  in-situ hybridization experiments showed that a few genes are expressed only in the dorsal blastopore lip 
C)  when two organizing centers are artificially present in an organism, two nervous systems develop 
D)  all of the above

Question 4

Axon reprogramming solves a problem that can best be characterized by which of the following questions?

Accepted Answer

A)  How do growth cones extend toward their targets? 
B)  How do growth cones follow routes that don't go straight toward their target? 
C)  How do growth cones establish a synaptic connection with their target? 
D)  How do growth cones move when filopodia cannot adhere to the external substrate? 
A)  How do growth cones extend toward their targets? 
B)  How do growth cones follow routes that don't go straight toward their target? 
C)  How do growth cones establish a synaptic connection with their target? 
D)  How do growth cones move when filopodia cannot adhere to the external substrate?

Question 5

You design a probe for BMP mRNA to be used for in-situ hybridization experiments. You would expect to be able to visualize this probe in

Accepted Answer

A)  dorsal regions of the developing spinal cord 
B)  ventral regions of the developing spinal cord 
C)  rostral regions of the developing forebrain 
D)  rostral regions of the developing midbrain 
A)  dorsal regions of the developing spinal cord 
B)  ventral regions of the developing spinal cord 
C)  rostral regions of the developing forebrain 
D)  rostral regions of the developing midbrain

Question 6

The ability to re-grow neurons and help them form appropriate connections would greatly benefit patients with spinal cord injuries. Predict what some of the obstacles might be in helping adult patients regain full function in the nervous system after damage to axons has occurred?

Accepted Answer

There are several obstacles that may hin

Question 7

Consider the retina, LGN, and visual cortex. Which of the following is a true statement?

Accepted Answer

A)  In a normal adult, each LGN is largely responsive to visual stimuli from one eye, while visual cortex responds to visual stimuli from both eyes. 
B)  In a normal adult, each LGN is largely responsive to visual stimuli from both eyes, while visual cortex responds to visual stimuli from one eye. 
C)  In a normal adult, the LGN areas and visual cortex respond to visual stimuli from both eyes. 
D)  LGN and visual cortex both respond primarily to inputs from one eye. 
A)  In a normal adult, each LGN is largely responsive to visual stimuli from one eye, while visual cortex responds to visual stimuli from both eyes. 
B)  In a normal adult, each LGN is largely responsive to visual stimuli from both eyes, while visual cortex responds to visual stimuli from one eye. 
C)  In a normal adult, the LGN areas and visual cortex respond to visual stimuli from both eyes. 
D)  LGN and visual cortex both respond primarily to inputs from one eye.

Question 8

Why is it dangerous for a pregnant woman to take the drug Accutane? Propose a hypothesis that specifically addresses the role of retinoic acid as described in previous chapters.

Accepted Answer

Accutane, also known as isotretinoin, is

Question 9

A candidate molecule for establishing the rostral-caudal organization of the early nervous system is

Accepted Answer

A)  BMP 
B)  retinoic acid 
C)  chordin 
D)  none of the above 
A)  BMP 
B)  retinoic acid 
C)  chordin 
D)  none of the above

Question 10

Which of the following needs to occur to begin the process of synapse formation?

Accepted Answer

A)  Molecules such as agrin and neurexin bridge the pre- and post-synaptic cells. 
B)  Post-synaptic neurotransmitter receptors cluster together. 
C)  Structural proteins form that shape the synapse. 
D)  All of the above are true. 
A)  Molecules such as agrin and neurexin bridge the pre- and post-synaptic cells. 
B)  Post-synaptic neurotransmitter receptors cluster together. 
C)  Structural proteins form that shape the synapse. 
D)  All of the above are true.

Question 11

Why might it be advantageous for an organism to "re-use" a protein for multiple purposes (for example BMP at two different stages of development). Propose a reason for this re-use that would give an organism a selective advantage over an organism that uses a unique protein for each purpose.

Accepted Answer

It might be advantageous for an organism

Question 12

A mutation in the reelin gene might lead to

Accepted Answer

A)  problems with rostral-caudal patterning of the spinal cord 
B)  problems with dorsal-ventral patterning of the spinal cord 
C)  problems with neurogenesis 
D)  problems with the formation of radial cells 
A)  problems with rostral-caudal patterning of the spinal cord 
B)  problems with dorsal-ventral patterning of the spinal cord 
C)  problems with neurogenesis 
D)  problems with the formation of radial cells

Question 13

FGF8 is thought to be involved in which process?

Accepted Answer

A)  dorsal-ventral patterning of the developing spinal cord 
B)  rostral-caudal patterning of the developing spinal cord 
C)  dorsal-ventral patterning of the midbrain and forebrain 
D)  rostra-caudal patterning of the midbrain and forebrain 
A)  dorsal-ventral patterning of the developing spinal cord 
B)  rostral-caudal patterning of the developing spinal cord 
C)  dorsal-ventral patterning of the midbrain and forebrain 
D)  rostra-caudal patterning of the midbrain and forebrain

Question 14

How might you characterize the patterning of the nervous system with regard to the migration of neurons along radial cells?

Accepted Answer

A)  the nervous system is built from the outside in 
B)  the nervous system is built from the inside out 
C)  some parts of the nervous system are built from the inside out; some outside in 
D)  during neurogenesis, neurons migrate first to the ventricle and then to their final destination 
A)  the nervous system is built from the outside in 
B)  the nervous system is built from the inside out 
C)  some parts of the nervous system are built from the inside out; some outside in 
D)  during neurogenesis, neurons migrate first to the ventricle and then to their final destination

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT true of the germ layers that are found during the gastrulation stage of development?

Accepted Answer

A)  mesoderm is between the ectoderm and endoderm 
B)  the mesoderm gives rise to the nervous system 
C)  the ectoderm gives rise to the skin 
D)  the mesoderm gives rise to both the skin and nervous system 
A)  mesoderm is between the ectoderm and endoderm 
B)  the mesoderm gives rise to the nervous system 
C)  the ectoderm gives rise to the skin 
D)  the mesoderm gives rise to both the skin and nervous system

Question 16

Axon guidance allows neurons to connect to their appropriate targets. Growing neurons must find their targets, some of which are very nearby (such as in a developing embryo) and some of which are farther away. Outline the processes that allow neurons to know the "routes" to take over short and long distances.

Accepted Answer

Axon guidance is a crucial process that

Question 17

Identical twins can arise from cells that separate from the developing embryo at or before the ______________ stage of development.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identical twins can arise from cells that...

Question 18

Which areas of the brain tend to develop first?

Accepted Answer

A)  rostral and dorsal 
B)  caudal and dorsal 
C)  rostral and ventral 
D)  caudal and ventral 
A)  rostral and dorsal 
B)  caudal and dorsal 
C)  rostral and ventral 
D)  caudal and ventral

Question 19

The details of how Hox genes control cell fate are not understood. Two competing theories have arisen about this, the combinatorial Hox code model and the posterior prevalence model. Describe each of these theories and propose an experiment that would allow you to determine which is the better model.

Accepted Answer

The combinatorial Hox code model suggest

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a true statement regarding sonic hedgehog protein (SHH)?

Accepted Answer

A)  it is a ventralizing signal in the developing spinal cord 
B)  its presence induces gene expression of a number of transcription factors 
C)  its presence represses gene expression of a number of transcription factors 
D)  it is found in abundance throughout the developing embryonic spinal cord 
A)  it is a ventralizing signal in the developing spinal cord 
B)  its presence induces gene expression of a number of transcription factors 
C)  its presence represses gene expression of a number of transcription factors 
D)  it is found in abundance throughout the developing embryonic spinal cord

Neurons differ in shape, size, neurotransmitter usage, ion channel expression, and connectivity. How is neuronal diversity produced?

You label the developing corticospinal neurons of a cat with a fluorescent compound that permits axon visualization. You see that in the spinal cord, fluorescence is found on only one side of the spinal cord. This finding suggests that the age of the animal is most likely

The concept of a neural inducer molecule originated because

Axon reprogramming solves a problem that can best be characterized by which of the following questions?

You design a probe for BMP mRNA to be used for in-situ hybridization experiments. You would expect to be able to visualize this probe in

The ability to re-grow neurons and help them form appropriate connections would greatly benefit patients with spinal cord injuries. Predict what some of the obstacles might be in helping adult patients regain full function in the nervous system after damage to axons has occurred?

Consider the retina, LGN, and visual cortex. Which of the following is a true statement?

Why is it dangerous for a pregnant woman to take the drug Accutane? Propose a hypothesis that specifically addresses the role of retinoic acid as described in previous chapters.

A candidate molecule for establishing the rostral-caudal organization of the early nervous system is

Which of the following needs to occur to begin the process of synapse formation?

Why might it be advantageous for an organism to "re-use" a protein for multiple purposes (for example BMP at two different stages of development). Propose a reason for this re-use that would give an organism a selective advantage over an organism that uses a unique protein for each purpose.

A mutation in the reelin gene might lead to

FGF8 is thought to be involved in which process?

How might you characterize the patterning of the nervous system with regard to the migration of neurons along radial cells?

Which of the following is NOT true of the germ layers that are found during the gastrulation stage of development?

Identical twins can arise from cells that separate from the developing embryo at or before the ______________ stage of development.

Which areas of the brain tend to develop first?

Which of the following is NOT a true statement regarding sonic hedgehog protein (SHH)?

Nervous System Organization

Computing With Neurons

Neuronal Plasticity

Protecting and Maintaining the Adult Nervous System

Sensors I: Remote Sensing

Sensors II: Sensing on Contact

Using Muscles and Glands

Regulating Vital Bodily Functions

Controlling Posture and Locomotion

Localizing Stimuli and Orienting in Space

Identifying Stimuli and Stimulus Objects

Regulating Brain States

Remembering Relationships

Selecting Actions, Pursuing Goals

Being Different From Others

Filters

Exam 4: Developing a Nervous System

Neurons differ in shape, size, neurotransmitter usage, ion channel expression, and connectivity. How is neuronal diversity produced?

You label the developing corticospinal neurons of a cat with a fluorescent compound that permits axon visualization. You see that in the spinal cord, fluorescence is found on only one side of the spinal cord. This finding suggests that the age of the animal is most likely

The concept of a neural inducer molecule originated because

Axon reprogramming solves a problem that can best be characterized by which of the following questions?

You design a probe for BMP mRNA to be used for in-situ hybridization experiments. You would expect to be able to visualize this probe in

The ability to re-grow neurons and help them form appropriate connections would greatly benefit patients with spinal cord injuries. Predict what some of the obstacles might be in helping adult patients regain full function in the nervous system after damage to axons has occurred?

Consider the retina, LGN, and visual cortex. Which of the following is a true statement?

Why is it dangerous for a pregnant woman to take the drug Accutane? Propose a hypothesis that specifically addresses the role of retinoic acid as described in previous chapters.

A candidate molecule for establishing the rostral-caudal organization of the early nervous system is

Which of the following needs to occur to begin the process of synapse formation?

Why might it be advantageous for an organism to "re-use" a protein for multiple purposes (for example BMP at two different stages of development). Propose a reason for this re-use that would give an organism a selective advantage over an organism that uses a unique protein for each purpose.

A mutation in the reelin gene might lead to

FGF8 is thought to be involved in which process?

How might you characterize the patterning of the nervous system with regard to the migration of neurons along radial cells?

Which of the following is NOT true of the germ layers that are found during the gastrulation stage of development?

Identical twins can arise from cells that separate from the developing embryo at or before the ______________ stage of development.

Which areas of the brain tend to develop first?

Which of the following is NOT a true statement regarding sonic hedgehog protein (SHH)?

Nervous System Organization

Computing With Neurons

Neuronal Plasticity

Protecting and Maintaining the Adult Nervous System

Sensors I: Remote Sensing

Sensors II: Sensing on Contact

Using Muscles and Glands

Regulating Vital Bodily Functions

Controlling Posture and Locomotion

Localizing Stimuli and Orienting in Space

Identifying Stimuli and Stimulus Objects

Regulating Brain States

Remembering Relationships

Selecting Actions, Pursuing Goals

Being Different From Others

Filters